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06 February, 2019 - More than 330 graduate and post-graduate places available for teachers for professional development programmes for 2019/2020 in Special Education

Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. and Minister for Further and Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor has announced 338 graduate and post-graduate places are available in 2019/20 for special education teaching.

The programmes at six third level institutions are available to serving Special Education Teachers, teachers in special classes and teachers in special schools.

Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. said: “There has traditionally been huge demand for places on these Special Education third level courses.

““I would encourage teachers already working in special education to consider these courses and the benefits they will offer in their careers. They will bring very real benefits to the classroom, particularly the many thousands of students with special educational needs in our schools.”

Minister for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor said: “These courses are a powerful symbol of the Government living up to its commitments to invest in education for all.

“Through third level programmes like these we are providing substantial theoretical and practical training for teachers working with students with special educational needs, including students with autism.”

Three circulars have been published by the Department detailing these opportunities and are available here:

A one year Graduate Certificate in the Education of Pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder will be available through Dublin City University and will accommodate an intake of up to 18 participants from September 2019.

A one year Post-Graduate Diploma of Continuing Professional Development for Special Education Teachers will be available in six colleges and will accommodate up to 295 participants from September 2019.

A Post-Graduate Certificate/Diploma Programme of Continuing Professional Development for Teachers working with Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder will be available through St Angela’s College, Sligo, and will accommodate an intake of up to 25 participants from September 2019

The total investment in these programmes is approximately €1.8m.

The colleges will now welcome applications for 2019/2020 and the closing date is 4th March 2019. Full details on the application process are available in the circulars published on the Department of Education and Skills website.

Notes for Editors

The Post-Graduate Diploma in Continuing Professional Development for Special Education Teachers is available in the following colleges: